Family time at Stourhead {Country Kids}

Family time is often precious in the hectic reality of modern life.
Some weekends go by without a good old proper family day out.
As part of my plans for fulfilment in 2015 I want more family time.
We started the year well with a trip out to the lovely Stourhead - no stranger to us here at 76sunflowers.

Kitted out with binoculars and welly boots we set off on our walk.
I turned around for a random family snap - always nice to get an unplanned photo and always nice to get Mr 76sunflowers in the frame too.

 

Our route took us past the obelisk and then down to the lakeside for soup from a flask - always the best way to eat it, the cold fresh air definitely makes it taste better.

We are never allowed to skip the grotto and this is an image I have taken umpteen times before - it took a while to get the camera settings sorted and it still wasn't right but the pressure was on with everyone behind us wanting a similar snap!

 

Then it was up to Apollo's Temple where the girl was fast turning into my mini-me having to snap away with her camera.

The door here has become a favourite of mine, odd I know but there is something so appealing about it.

 

So that was our first trip out of 2015.

Where was yours?

 

Linking up to the amazing Country Kids...

x x x



Autumn colours at Stourhead {National Trust} #HDYGG

Yesterday we took our seasonal Autumn trip to Stourhead - although we definitely visit more than four times a year.

The Autumn colours were in abundance and when going through the day's snaps I smiled warmly at the hues of reds, oranges and browns that I had captured.

The colours of my favourite time of year.

Acers, chestnut shells and carpets of leaves just waiting patiently to be kicked into the clear sun streamed air.
Shades of red all around; up close and distant.
Fungi camouflaged against the brown leaf covered floor.

Everywhere we looked, and snapped, Autumn colours were all around.

I'll be linking up with the super Annie at #HDYGG

x x x

Stourhead {National Trust}

Always a favourite place to go, and often mentioned on here, Stourhead was frequented by the three of us again this holiday week.
I never tire of the place and always spot something new.
This time we ventured into the house, somewhere I haven't been since holidaying this way as a child.
Now it's my children's turn to be taken around these fantastic properties.

Easter at Stourhead {Country Kids}

We got out into the sunshine today and explored one of our favourite places, Stourhead.
The children had an Easter trail to complete whilst I just wanted fresh air and some space to stretch my legs.
We retraced paths that we had trodden time and time again.
And found new paths to take to explore new things.

We...
Followed the clues, answered the questions and discovered new paths.
Saw the obelisk in the distance and I wondered why, during all our previous visits, we had never ventured up to it before?
Took in the calm of the lake surrounded by grottos and temples.
Scrambled up through the rocks leading to the Temple of Apollo and found my favourite view.
Rolled down slightly smaller hills.
And finally the children claimed their much deserved prize.

We never tire of this beautiful place.

Linking up to Country Kids...

x x x 

365 #12

Not sure what to call this week so let's get straight to the photos...

365 #12

Up Close at Stourhead

I think it's been well documented on this very blog how much we love visiting the National Trust and Stourhead. If you missed those posts then take a look here.

Since discovering How Does Your Garden Grow? I have started to observe gardens around me more, whether it be my own or those on a much grander scale. Now I stop and look, get close up and really appreciate it. I noticed so much more on our recent trip to Stourhead earlier this week by doing just that.

Flowers dying back, poppies still in bloom, plants climbing the walls, changing colours on the hydrangeas, trees almost as tall as the sky, the red of the Acer, the oak tree without its acorns, fallen leaves and enormous tree trunks.

So much to see.
So much to take in.
But still time to just sit by the lake.
And look for Wally.

All in all the ideal place to spend a sunny, crisp Autumn day.

I'll be linking up with Annie and other wonderful gardens...

x x x

A good day

Today was cold with bright sunshine. A perfect weather combination.

An ideal day to get out for a stomp around one of favourite places locally. (Yes, I know, this is the third time I've posted about it.)

Morning swimming lessons done, soup warmed up and decanted into a flask, picnic packed, Earl Grey in my travel mug and we were good to go.